U.S. Army Recruiter Competes on NBC’s “The Voice”

By Gloriann MartinMay 3, 2023

Staff Sgt. Smith in The Voice
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – THE VOICE -- "Blind Auditions" Episode 2306 -- Pictured: Talia Smith -- (Photo by: Casey Durkin/NBC) (Photo Credit: NBC) VIEW ORIGINAL
Staff Sgt. Smith in "The Voice"
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – THE VOICE -- "Battle Rounds" Episode 2310 -- Pictured: (l-r) Talia Smith, Jerome Godwin -- (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC) (Photo Credit: NBC) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Maryland — Staff Sgt. Talia Smith, a 29-year-old Army soldier stationed at Fort George G. Meade, recently made waves as a contestant on the popular singing competition show, "The Voice." Smith's time on the show captivated audiences across the country and showcased her powerful voice and undeniable talent.

Smith has wanted to be a performer ever since she was a young girl. From elementary school until she received her associate degree from Five Towns College in New York, she developed and choreographed each performance for her talent showcase from scratch. She continued to be passionate about music performing after college, but she joined the Army in quest of security and opportunities.

At both military and non-military events, she sings karaoke to satisfy her passion for performance and when Smith met her husband in 2017, he encouraged her to keep going after her passion.

“I had no idea this is what I would be doing this year. My husband decided it would be great idea to fill out an application for The Voice,” said Smith, “And to my surprise, I received a message that they wanted me to audition.”

Smith initially auditioned for "The Voice" in 2023 and was selected to participate in the show's 23rd season. Throughout her time on the show, Smith wowed both the judges and the audience with her soulful renditions of popular songs. Her performances were praised for her emotion and authenticity, with many viewers commenting on the raw power of her voice.

Facing tough competition from other talented contestants, Smith made it to the first round of battles.

Despite her elimination from the show after the battle, Smith left sharing exciting news about her pregnancy. “I want my future baby to look onstage and be like, ‘That was my mommy!'" she shared.

Reflecting on her time on "The Voice," Smith expressed gratitude for the experience and the support she received from her fellow soldiers and the wider Army community.

"I'm just so grateful for this opportunity," Smith said. "Being able to represent the Army and show the world what soldiers are capable of has been an incredible honor."

Smith's success on "The Voice" is a testament to the diverse talents and abilities of soldiers in the Army. Her journey also serves as an inspiration to others who are pursuing their dreams while serving their country.

Editor’s Note: This article was written with the assistance of ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI.